CVE-2023-3463 in CIMPLICITY
Summary
by MITRE • 07/19/2023
All versions of GE Digital CIMPLICITY that are not adhering to SDG guidance and accepting documents from untrusted sources are vulnerable to memory corruption issues due to insufficient input validation, including issues such as out-of-bounds reads and writes, use-after-free, stack-based buffer overflows, uninitialized pointers, and a heap-based buffer overflow. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3463 affects GE Digital CIMPLICITY software across all versions that do not follow Secure Development Guidance (SDG) protocols and accept documents from untrusted sources. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software architecture. The vulnerability landscape is particularly concerning as it encompasses multiple memory corruption issues that collectively create a pathway for malicious exploitation. These memory corruption vulnerabilities are classified under CWE-121, which encompasses heap-based buffer overflows, stack-based buffer overflows, and other memory-related issues that have long been recognized as primary attack vectors in cybersecurity. The presence of out-of-bounds reads and writes, use-after-free conditions, and uninitialized pointer references creates a comprehensive attack surface that can be leveraged by threat actors to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the CIMPLICITY software processes documents from untrusted sources without proper validation of input parameters. This failure to validate input data allows attackers to craft malicious documents that trigger memory corruption conditions during processing. The heap-based buffer overflow represents one of the most dangerous aspects of this vulnerability as it can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The stack-based buffer overflow conditions can similarly be exploited to overwrite return addresses and function pointers, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow. Additionally, use-after-free vulnerabilities create opportunities for attackers to manipulate freed memory regions and gain unauthorized access to system resources. These memory corruption issues are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited through various attack vectors, including document-based attacks that leverage the software's legitimate document processing capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-3463 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise within industrial control environments where CIMPLICITY is deployed. The vulnerability affects critical infrastructure systems that rely on GE Digital's software for process control and monitoring operations, making it particularly concerning for organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and utilities. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, disruption of industrial processes, and even physical safety hazards in environments where automation controls are critical. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability exists in all versions that do not adhere to SDG guidance, meaning that organizations may be exposed to this risk even in their latest deployments if proper development practices are not followed. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059 for command and script interpreter execution and T1106 for execution through API calls, demonstrating the broad attack surface available to threat actors.
Organizations affected by CVE-2023-3463 must implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect their industrial control systems from exploitation. The primary recommendation involves enforcing strict input validation for all document processing functions within CIMPLICITY applications, ensuring that all external inputs are properly sanitized before processing. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to CIMPLICITY systems and reduce the attack surface available to potential adversaries. The implementation of secure development practices aligned with SDG guidance is essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the software. Additionally, organizations should establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory corruption patterns and unexpected code execution within industrial control environments. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities that may exist within the broader industrial control system ecosystem. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust change management processes that ensure all software components adhere to established security standards and development practices.